University of Malta Gozo Centre: 15 years on

The University of Malta Gozo Centre was established in 1992. In its early years, the centre was housed at the Sir Michelang Refalo Post-Secondary School in Victoria, moving to its current premises at Xewkija in 1996.

The centre offers logistical and academic support to University faculties who offer degree and diploma courses in Gozo. The centre also offers its own short courses. So far, about 300 students have graduated after having followed courses in Gozo, and many more (running into almost 1,000) have followed short courses at the centre. The centre has video-conferencing facilities which it uses to connect to the University of Malta. These facilities are also used during international meetings.

A photo-exhibition is currently being held at the Exhibition Hall of the Ministry for Gozo, St Frances Square, Victoria. The exhibition contains captioned photos tracing the activities of the University Gozo Centre since its establishment in 1992. A commemorative booklet has also been published for the occasion. The exhibition is open till Tuesday at the exhibition hall of the Ministry for Gozo.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Minister Giovanna Debono who thanked Anton Tabone, Rev. Peter Serracino Inglott and Lino Briguglio for being instrumental in setting up the centre 15 years ago, in 1992. She said that since then, the centre has become a sustainable institution in Gozo.

Alfred J. Vella, who also addressed the guests, said that "many would have thought that the centre would just offer a few evening lectures, with some possibly leading to a certificate or a diploma. In reality, the centre has achieved much more than this.

Many degree courses have been offered in Gozo, including post-graduate ones. The centre, as its mission obliges it to do, has logistically assisted University departments in offering these courses in Gozo and has also offered its own short courses. The centre has made a very important contribution to higher education in Gozo."

Dr Tabone and Professor Briguglio, director of the University Gozo Centre, spoke about the history of the centre and its prospects in the future. Their main message was that the centre was needed in Gozo and that it was a very successful venture.

Dr Tabone said that initially there were many doubting "Thomases", but the success of the centre has shown that where there is a will there is a way. He said that he was particularly pleased that the centre has been permitted a large number of Gozitans to obtain higher education qualifications.